title: Effect of berberine administration on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of berberine administration on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 24 patients with a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Glucose and insulin levels after a dextrose load were measured. Triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations at baseline were also measured. Twelve patients received berberine hydrochloride (500 mg) three times daily before meals for 3 months. The remaining 12 patients received placebo. Area under the curve (AUC) of glucose and insulin, total insulin secretion, first-phase of insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After berberine administration, patients had a remission of 36% (P=0.037) in the presence of metabolic syndrome and a significant decrease in waist circumference in females (106±4 vs. 103±3 cm, P<0.05), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (123±7 vs. 115±9 mmHg, P<0.01), triglycerides (2.4±0.7 vs. 1.4±0.5 mmol/L, P<0.01), area under the curve (AUC) of glucose (1182.1±253.6 vs. 1069.5±172.4 mmol/l, P<0.05), AUC of insulin (92,056±72,148 vs. 67,407±46,441 pmol/L, P<0.01), and insulinogenic index (0.78±0.69 vs. 0.62±0.46, P<0.05), as well as an increase in the Matsuda index (2.1±1.0 vs. 3.1±1.6, P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of berberine leads to remission of metabolic syndrome and decreases in waist circumference, SBP, triglycerides, and total insulin secretion, with an increase in insulin sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: 1 Cardiovascular Research Unit, Physiology Department, Health Science University Center, University of Guadalajara , Guadalajara, Mexico .
authors.forename: Karina G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Pérez-Rubio
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-Ortiz
authors.forename: Esperanza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez-Abundis
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Robles-Cervantes
authors.forename: María C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Espinel-Bermúdez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D001599:Berberine